The following countries are celebrating national holidays during the month of August:

Benin

1-Aug

Switzerland

1-Aug

Macedonia

2-Aug

Burkina Faso

4-Aug

Bolivia

6-Aug

Jamaica

6-Aug

Singapore

9-Aug

Ecuador

10-Aug

Chad

11-Aug

Thailand

12-Aug

Pakistan

14-Aug

Congo, Republic of

15-Aug

India

15-Aug

Liechtenstein

15-Aug

South Korea

15-Aug

Gabon

17-Aug

Indonesia

17-Aug

Afghanistan

19-Aug

Hungary

20-Aug

Ukraine

24-Aug

Uruguay

25-Aug

Moldova

27-Aug

Turkey

30-Aug

Kyrgyzstan

31-Aug

2. Arrival of New International Students

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services thanks the many students
who will be assisting our new arrivals. Orientation information and registration is
now open. The link to orientation information and orientation registration is: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/orientation/index.html There will be different orientation schedules for graduate students, undergraduate
students, exchange students and Dual Diploma students from Turkey.

The orientation program features special presentations on the immigration regulations
that all new students are required to know, as well as meetings with academic advisors
and the opportunity to register for classes. We wish our new students "welcome" and
much success with their academic program.

Orientation is less then two weeks away and many new international students have
begun to arrive on campus. If you happen to meet a new student, please be sure to
direct them to the office of International Student and Scholar Services. ISSS is recording
new student arrivals and distributing their very helpful early arrival information
sheet. ISSS looks forward to welcoming a record entering class of new international
students this Fall!

Are you interested in helping new international students during Orientation and adding
Leadership and U.S. Culture Training experience to your resume? Then, sign up to be
a Leadership Volunteer!

Leadership Volunteers are a select group of Binghamton University students, who join
ISSS staff to welcome new international students during Fall International Student
Orientation. Leadership Volunteer recruitment is now underway.

Leadership Volunteers engage in a 3-day training program to help prepare them for
their role during Orientation. The training program is organized by the 5 goals of
the Orientation program:

· Help New Students Feel Comfortable in a New Environment (Networking)

· Meet Students’ Needs

· Share Important Information

· Learn about U.S. Culture

· Build Trust

The Training Program includes activities that give all Leadership Volunteers the opportunity
to:

· Become a Team

· Prepare Presentations for Small Group Activities

· Understand the Needs of New International Students

During Orientation, Leadership Volunteers greet new international students at Check-In,
welcome them during the Introductory Meeting, lead small group discussions, accompany
them to all meals, provide reassurance and essential information, and most importantly
contribute to a warm and sincere presence during the new international student's first
few days on campus. Many new students tell the ISSS how important the Leadership Volunteers
were to their initial experience at Binghamton University. Many Leadership Volunteers
tell the ISSS how valuable the training was to their own professional and personal
development.

4. Discontinuation of the Form I-797C “Notice of Action” for the I-901 SEVIS Fee
Payment

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will no longer be mailing Form I-797C
“Notice of Action” for the I-901 SEVIS fee payment. Students should print out the
confirmation of payment from the FMJfee website.

5. Discontinuation of Paper I-94 Records for International Airline and SeaportArrivals

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will no longer be issuing paper I-94 for international arrivals made via air
or sea. Instead travelers should go to:https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html.All travelers should print out a copy of their I-94 record each time they re-enter
the U.S and keep it for their records. Paper I-94 records will still be issued to
those traveling by land.

6. Important Caution to Binghamton University International Students When Taking
On-Line Courses

Most international students are aware that US federal regulations limit the number
of on-line or distance learning classes that can be taken by F-1 visa holders, even
if the classes are offered by Binghamton University. A full description of the rules
can be found at:http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/immigration/rulecourse.html

If a student needs only one course to finish his or her program of study in the final semester (and this includes Summer Session or Winter Session), it cannot be taken through online/distance education.
There must be a physical presence requirement for the course. If a student remains
in the United States without reporting to any class, it becomes a security issue and
cannot be allowed.

Recently, several students who took only a distance learning class in their final
semester have found that they are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
because the distance learning course taken by itself, with no other physical presence
courses, is a violation of F-1 regulations. Don’t less this happen to you! If you
have questions, send an email message to isss@binghamton.edu or set up an appointment with one of the advisors.

7. Does a F-1 or J-1 Student Need a Social Security Number Before Beginning Employment?

Most students in F-1 or J-1 status are aware that in order to apply for a U.S. Social
Security Number, you must be able to present proof of employment (such as a department
funding letter or some other letter verifying employment). But staff in the ISSS have
been asked if the reverse is true, meaning, do F-1 or J-1 students need to have a
Social Security Number in hand before work can commence?

The answer is no! A Social Security Number is not required to begin employment. However, once employment
has commenced, the employee must apply for the Social Security Number and report their
number to the employer as soon as the number is received, so that the employer can
update the record for tax reporting purposes.

8. Summer Hours End August 16, 2013

University summer office hours of 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. will end at the close of business
on Friday, August 16, 2013. The University will return to the core office hours of
8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2013. Please note that many offices, including
International Student and Scholar Services post different service hours for the public.

9. Upcoming DISCO Career Fairs For Japanese-English Bilinguals

DISCO International, is the organizer of the largest job fair for Japanese-English
bilinguals. With opportunities to meet companies face-to-face, we encourage Japanese-English
bilingual students to take advantage of these events. No fee to register or attend.

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Scholar Services, Division of Student Affairs, at the State University of New York
at Binghamton. It is the publisher of ISSS-BU News. Permission is granted to freely distribute the information posted to this list as
long as its contents remain unchanged.

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If you are a registered student and don't have an e-mail account, you may claim an
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visit the Help Desk in the lobby of the Computer Services building.